Castle Howard, one of Britain’s finest stately homes, is approximately 15 miles north of York. The venue had a long history of holding traction engine rallies until the early 1980s and almost 40 years later Outdoor Shows Ltd and Castle Howard are jointly relaunching a traction engine rally at this amazing venue.

An admission ticket to Castle Howard Traction Engine Rally also incorporates a Castle Howard Garden Ticket which gives access to acres of parkland with meandering woodland paths, lakeside terraces, temples, fountains and the walled garden; beautiful at any time of year. Not forgetting the youngsters, the adventure playground offers endless fun.

Performing in the main arena will be the Stannage International Stunt Show, featuring the flaming high fall show, exploding coffin, motorbike stunts, car jumps and trick riding to name a few. This is an exciting, high octane show for the whole family to enjoy. The event will also feature the Scarborough Fair Collection which will be entertaining the crowds at various times over the three days with their stage show, featuring dancers, singers and musicians. This is a musical extravaganza not to be missed!

There will be a full programme of top steam fair attractions including tractor pulling, steam engines, classic cars, vintage tractors, classic motorcycles, fairground organs, miniature steam engines, stationary engines and vintage commercials. You will also find an array of trade stands, autojumble, craft and fine food marquee, old time and modern funfair, non-stop arena entertainment, catering outlets and a fully licensed bar.

WHAT’S ON

Stannage International Stunt Show

A family team, Mark, Janine and their son Aaron have worked together worldwide as the Stannage International Stunt Team for over 18 years.

Mark Stannage started his professional career in 1984 at the age of 14.With over 34 years’ experience he specialises in car, motorbike, fire and high fall stunts, performing some of the most spectacular stunts ever seen on film and TV.Aaron, now 21, began performing at only three years old, he is one youngest stunt performers in the UK today and is currently a holder of a Guinness World Record.He performs some of the most dangerous stunts ever seen.This amazing team will thrill audiences with their varied repertoire of stunts and a fun and informative commentary including:

High falls

High falls on fire

Motorbike stunts

Quad stunts

Ramp jumping

Car jumps

Mountain bike stunts

Fire stunts

Explosions

Wheelies

Trick riding

Traction Engines

Traction engines are self-propelled steam engines invented in the 1800s for any form of haulage with many being used in agriculture.

On display there will be various types of steam engines; the showman’s road locomotives (designed to provide power and transport for a travelling funfair), rollers, tractors, buses, lorries etc, manufactured by Burrell, Fowler, Foden, Aveling & Porter and many others.Along with the static line-up, the engines also take to the main arena each day to showcase history in all its glory, a fantastic sight to see!

Fairground Organs

Mechanical organs come in various guises ranging from fairground organs designed for use in travelling fairs and circuses to provide loud music, through to dance organs for ballrooms which are much quieter, and street organs operated by an organ grinder. Please email us closer to the event if you wish to obtain a list of the organs attending.

Scarborough Fair Collection including Stage Show

The Scarborough Fair Collection was started in the 1980s when owner Graham Atkinson purchased his first steam engine and mechanical organ. Few could have ever imagined that this was destined to become the start of a unique collection that would become famous throughout the world. The Scarborough Fair Collection will bring a number of their exhibits, together with their stage show featuring an eclectic group of singers, dancers and entertainers.

Tractor Pulling

Tractor pulling is regarded as one of the world’s most powerful motorsports due to the nature of the highly modified tractor-pullers that take part.The pullers drag a metal sled along the track.This sled contains a box filled with weight which is mechanically moved forward as the pull proceeds, making it progressively more difficult to pull.

When a tractor/puller gets to the end of the purpose built 100 metre track, this is known as a ‘full pull’. It is not only modified tractors which can attempt this, but also wagons, steam engines, military vehicles and even standard tractors.The success of the pull not only depends on the power of the vehicle but also the driver’s skill in converting power into traction/momentum to keep the sled moving forward to achieve the full pull.

Classic Car Display

Visit the Classic Car Section and see vintage and classic cars made from very early 1900 through to the 1970s, Wolseley, Rover, Morris, Jaguar, Austin, Buick, Chevrolet and many other makes including the very popular and the less well-known.The cars also do a parade around the main arena each day.

Vintage Motorcycles

An impressive line-up of veteran, vintage and classic motorcycles will be on display made by popular manufacturers BSA, Triumph, Matchless, Honda, Ariel and many others together with the lesser-known makes like Motubi, Rudge and Excelsior amongst others.As well as the static display, the motorcycles take part in a parade in the main arena each day.

Vintage Tractor Display

Vintage and classic tractors on display from various manufacturers including John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Ford, David Brown, International, Leyland and Allis Chalmers plus others. Together with the static display, the tractors take part in a main arena parade each day giving enthusiasts the opportunity to see them on the move.

Stationary Engines

Stationary engines are used to drive immobile machinery, such as pumps, generators, mills etc and a variety of these working engines will be on display.Some will have been made as early as 1900.

Also see the chainsaw carving, as works of art are created from a single piece of wood.

Miniature Steam Engines

See an array of miniature steam engines – some built from scratch and some built from kits.Various scaled-down models which join the full-sized engines in their arena parades or see them in the static display.

Vintage Commercials (Lorries, Buses, Fire Engines etc.)

Vintage commercial vehicle display including lorries, buses and fire engines from a variety of manufacturers; Dodge, Chevrolet, Bedford, ERF, Foden, Land Rover, Scammell and many more.Exhibits will range from early 1920s to 1980 and will participate in main arena parades each day.

Military Vehicle Displays

A wide range of military vehicles will be on display. Exhibits include Land Rovers, trucks, ambulances, jeeps and, on occasions, tanks.

Vintage Fairground

A visit to the vintage fairground is a must for all the family.Rides and activities to suit everyone – some good old-fashioned entertainment.

Childrens Corner (Inflatables, Quads, Trampolines etc)

Children’s corner will include some/all of the following attractions: inflatables, quad track, go karts and bungee trampolines.Please contact Outdoor Shows if you require confirmation.

Mr. Bungle’s Punch & Judy is a fun filled modern version of this much-loved show. Starring all the traditional characters plus a few new ones. A great show for all the family.

Thirty minute shows will take place at: 12:00, 13:30 and 15:00

Licensed Bar and various Catering Outlets

The licensed bar will be open during the event opening times. Additional opening times include Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening for traders, exhibitors and onsite campers.

The licensed bar is in a marquee with table/chairs. Background music and a live act on the Saturday and Sunday night for those camping.

Caterers will be onsite selling food and drink to suit all tastes.

Arena Timetables

Evening Entertainment for Public Campers and Exhibitors

Friday 24th May – Background music from the Bars sound system

Saturday 25th May in the Bar Marquee

From 6pm until 7.30pm Kids Craft Session and Disco

From 8.30pm: The Counterfeit Celts

The Counterfeit Celts is a mixed contemporary Scarborough-based band playing good old-fashioned Irish songs with a modern twist.An exciting and uptempo group with fiddle, mandolin, bodhran, drums and electric guitars.

Public Camping from Friday until Tuesday

Available for Tents, Trailer Tents, Caravans and Motorhomes.Camping must be prebooked.

ADMISSION PRICES ON THE DAY

BUY ADVANCE ADMISSION TICKETS FOR

CASTLE HOWARD TRACTION ENGINE RALLY
25TH, 26TH & 27TH MAY 2019

Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA

Please purchase a Castle Howard Gardens ticket which can be used for admission to the Castle Howard Traction Engine Rally. Please note tickets are date specific. Please check the date of your booking before confirming, once purchased tickets cannot be exchanged, refunded, or returned and are valid for one visit on the selected date only.

CARAVAN & CAMPING

CARAVAN, MOTORHOME OR CAMPING

You can pre-book your site for the weekend and full unlimited access to the event for up to 2 adults and 3 under 16s. You can arrive from lunchtime the day before the event and stay until the day after the event finishes.

There is Water, Toilets and an Elsan Point on the camping area.

Closing Date for Online Applications: 19/05/19

POSTAL APPLICATIONS

Although our online caravan & camping booking system is safe and secure, some people prefer to book by post. If you wish to book via a postal application, please download the form by clicking on the PDF logo below.